Cook -- Engadget

cook posts

Kitchen-safe Demy recipe reader could revolutionize your cooking

by Darren Murph posted Mar 30th 2009 at 9:22AM

While we can only assume that "kitchen-safe" means that it won't melt when tossed accidentally in the oven nor be fazed by splattering hot grease, we'd still exercise a good deal of caution when reading off of the Demy digital recipe reader. Crafted by Key Ingredient, this here device packs a sealed 7-inch display, storage for up to 2,500 recipes and USB connectivity for syncing with your PC. Furthermore, it provides three kitchen timers, a measurement conversion calculator and an ingredient substitution dictionary to get cooks out of a pinch if they are one special ingredient short. Currently, the device is listed as "shipping soon" from Amazon, though we'd probably start scrounging up those three Benjamins if you hope to own one free and clear whenever "soon" turns to "now."

[Via PopGadget]

Gallery: Kitchen-safe Demy recipe reader could revolutionize your cooking

ILVE introduces VELA rangehood with built-in LCD TV

by Darren Murph posted Oct 29th 2008 at 6:37PM

Not that we haven't seen LCD-equipped rangehoods before, but ILVE's VELA just has that art deco flair that so turns us on. All personal details aside, this here kitchen appliance was designed by Marco Valerio Agretti and features a 4-speed touch control extraction, optional automatic switch-on / speed regulation, all stainless steel construction, a light indicator for filter management and a washable anti-grease filter. Now that you've survived that snore-fest, here's the real details you're after: there's a 10-inch LCD TV built right in there, and with that comes a remote control and an RCA input / output for hooking up your cable box, a DVD player or any flavor of game console. Unfortunately, actual specifications of the TV -- as well as pricing for the entire unit -- are nowhere to be found, but it's pretty safe to assume those who have to ask probably won't be buying. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via T3]

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster produces fanboy-approved bread

by Darren Murph posted Jul 16th 2008 at 11:05AM

Think you're the nerdiest BSG nerd on the face of this particular planet? Oh, yeah? Then bust out your Mr. Wizard plastic wallet and head on down to the read link, because any true fan simply will not be able to eat breakfast again without the Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster. Supposedly the device is limited in quantity, as only one batch is being created specifically for Comic-Con. Those who'd rather get in line now instead of paying 4x more on eBay in a month can plunk down $65 and wait for shipments to begin on July 29th. Mmm, Cylon toast.

[Via Register Hardware]

Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

by Darren Murph posted May 7th 2008 at 1:38PM

Never mind getting tesla coils to fix your supper, just hit the on switch on your own personal humanoid. Reportedly, the creature you see above has been loaded with learning algorithms that enable it to repeat actions that it learns. Wonder if anyone realized that this totally demented critter just learned to slice more than ham? Stay sharp, kids -- the video's after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

Whirlpool's green kitchen concept fuels other devices

by Darren Murph posted Mar 15th 2008 at 1:40PM

This whole "turning waste into fuel" idea has certainly gained a lot of traction lately, and it seems that Whirlpool is next in line to show off a concept that could purportedly hack down your energy bill (and give Mother Earth some love, too). Simply hailed as the green kitchen, this futuristic area would reportedly enable "60-percent of the water and heat generated from [kitchen gizmos to be] diverted to fuel other appliances." For instance, the heat created from the refrigerator compressor could be used to heat water for the dishwasher, and while it's hard to say how accurate it is, word on the street pegs energy savings from using said concept at around 24-percent. The real question, however, is will it come equipped with an integrated LCD TV?

Pandigital teases your kitchen with HDTV / digital cookbook conglomerate

by Darren Murph posted Mar 13th 2008 at 6:07PM

We can't say we've really spent any huge amount of time wondering just how converged kitchen devices can become, but apparently, the designers at Pandigital have. Announced today, the Kitchen HDTV / Digital Cookbook / Digital Photo Frame (really, that's the name) stays true to itself in three big ways: acting as a 15-inch 720p HDTV (ATSC / NTSC tuner included), a digital cookbook (with pre-loaded recipes and space for more) and a digital photo frame. Packed within, you'll find half a gigabyte of memory, a built-in alarm clock and an integrated 6-in-1 media card reader. And considering all that sauce you'll be slinging, you'll be thrilled to know that it's sealed with glass and boasts interchangeable faceplates to fit varying moods. Heck, this thing even handles Motion JPEG, MPEG4 and AVI files -- not a bad way to spice up your kitchen (and spend $399.99), eh?

Robot chef whips up delicacies we wouldn't dare touch

by Darren Murph posted Feb 17th 2008 at 6:05AM

Nonhuman chefs are far from extraordinary, but the latest culinary guru crafted in Japan has a taste for the extreme. Reportedly, the EZ Order Robot was spotted in Osaka whipping up octopus balls (of all things), but apparently, the creature was able to concoct the dish totally from scratch. Interestingly, the demonstration wasn't really established to showcase its kitchen prowess, but rather to highlight other capabilities such as speech recognition and the ability to perform routine tasks without human intervention. Click here for the video, but remember, we're not responsible for ruining your appetite.

[Via Live Science]

Matsushita's IH cooking utensil perfects your stir-fry

by Darren Murph posted Jun 27th 2007 at 8:31AM

When you've eggs that essentially boil themselves and gizmos that take the skill out of concocting a decent breakfast, where's the need for culinary prowess? For the chefs who feel that modern technology is diluting their art, Matsushita's latest invention isn't likely to enthrall you, but for those in need of a quick stir-fry lesson, the KZ-VSW33D should fit the bill. The electromagnetic induction heating (IH) cooking utensil, better known as a stove here in the states, uses infrared temperature sensors which can quickly determine if the bottom of the pan has cooled off since the prior reading (you know, while you're hurling it about trying to impress onlookers), and can then adjust in order to provide an even amount of heat throughout so that certain sections don't end up, um, extra crispy. Of course, such a snazzy cooker demands quite the premium, as this uber-efficient device will run you a staggering ¥409,500 ($3,310) when it lands in September.

[Via Tech-On]

Automatic waffle maker hits version 2.0

by Darren Murph posted Jun 20th 2007 at 10:55AM

While it certainly looked about perfect to us, we know how picky engineering inventors can be, so it's not too surprising to see the folks behind the automatic waffle maker crank out a version 2.0. We can't be sure, but the video (shown after the jump) does seem to suggest that the newest iteration cooks up your breakfast without quite as much mess as the original, and the hardware behind the magic looks to have seen upgrades all around. Best of all, however, is the title splash screen that lets you know you're still looking at a beta creation, which ought to mean there's an even more sophisticated version around the bend. Bargain bin griddles, watch out.

Continue reading Automatic waffle maker hits version 2.0

Taylannas' Menus That Talk vocalize what's for dinner

by Darren Murph posted May 24th 2007 at 2:58AM

Auditory menus might be an old trick, but it's likely to make Taylannas some serious coin if implemented in any number of eateries. The Florida-based startup has announced plans to dole out "slim electronic tablets about the size and shape of a DVD case" that sport touchscreen displays, speak numerous languages, and can even have its buttons imprinted with Braille to help the blind wade through the interface. As the title implies, the menus will vocalize what's on the docket, as customers can select different segments (drinks, dinner entrees, desserts) to be read aloud. The obvious benefactors are those who are visually impaired, but even customers who are hard of hearing were taken into account as the Menus That Talk devices also have a "detachable hand-held earphone" that reportedly syncs with most modern hearings aids. Still, we have to wonder if restaurants that rely on a quiet, low-key atmosphere won't disable the volume functions or demand a built-in whisper mode in order to maintain sanity during the evening rush.

[Thanks, Joe B.]

Keyboard waffle iron cooks up your favorite peripheral

by Darren Murph posted May 3rd 2007 at 9:25AM

While you may lobby that nothing's sweeter than an automated waffle maker, Chris Dimino just might counter that. This design guru has apparently concocted a retro inspired, and ever-so-slightly altered kitchen appliance that cooks waffle that are a bit wider and more familiar than usual. This piece of cookware sports an integrated stand for holding four jars of syrup, and the iron itself presses a nifty keyboard each and every time -- caps lock key and all. Of course, we don't expect retailers to start stocking these things anytime soon, but if you're serious about your ~~words~~ waffles-per-minute, we're sure Chris could make arrangements.

Automatic waffle maker simplifies breakfast

by Darren Murph posted Mar 12th 2007 at 2:44AM

With all the flowers starting to bloom and bunny rabbits (stuffed or otherwise) beginning to emerge, we're sure it won't be long before you're busting out the Wham-o Peeps maker, but if you've been pondering a way to make those hearty breakfasts pop out a tad quicker, we've got just the thing. Apparently, a group of waffle-lovin' kiddos have concocted an automated machine that not only opens and closes on queue, cooks and unloads the finished waffle onto your plate, and closes back for easy cleanup, it even boasts a tiltable pail filled with waffle mix and a funnel so that filling the hot iron is no longer your (messy) responsibility. The project was crafted at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and looks to be constructed primarily of wood, strings, and pulleys, and while we certainly wouldn't recommend that novice DIYers try this unaided, be sure and hit the read link for a look at waffles made easy.

Glide toaster gives breakfast bread a new flair

by Darren Murph posted Jan 17th 2007 at 1:51PM

Sure, toasters have gotten bigger, more colorful, and more likely to burn down your house since its conception, but unlike refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves, this cooking utensil just hasn't gotten much attention over the years. Enter George Watson, a clever design guru with an engineering heart, who has crafted the best thing since ~~sliced~~ toasted bread, the Glide. This primarily white ceramic toast cooker boasts a simplified design, a single-feed toaster, and a V-shaped rack to hold the toast for use on the kitchen table. Twin hot plates heat the bread as the motorized unit pulls it through, and a handy button on the front increases or decreases the speed in which it passes -- you know, to satisfy those who like it warm, and those who like it black. Mr. Watson's invention looks to be part of a design competition, thus we're not exactly sure if GE or Kitchen-Aid has contacted him regarding a deal, but hopefully we'll soon see these things replacing those antiquated versions we're all forced to deal with now.

[Via BoingBoing]

Inventor patents automatic, no-look cooking

by Darren Murph posted Jan 16th 2007 at 3:15PM

In a patent filing that appears to belong to Philips, an inventor is attempting to lock down the secret to no-look cooking, giving hope to clueless culinarians everywhere. The patent focuses on a method for determining the very moment during the cooking process in which the food "has reached a ready state," and seeks to use precise scales in an oven to determine exactly how much water has left the foodstuff and converted into steam in order to determine just how dry, crisp, and / or ready to devour it is. Of course, this fellow isn't the first bloke to iron out the details of automatic cooking, and interestingly enough, it seems this idea itself may have already been in the works, so we'd highly recommend consulting the folks behind Daewoo's autonomous microwave (and the subsequent technology) before boasting too proudly.

[Via NewScientistTech]

Electrolux crowns champions in 2006 Design Lab contest

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2006 at 2:41PM

Electrolux has been known to crank out some wicked appliances (and other household gear) over the years, but now its getting a taste (ahem) of just how snazzy its lineup will be once these students hire in upon graduating. Engineering minds from all over the world submitted entries into the firm's 2006 Design Lab contest, and while props were (understandably) given to a plethora of participants, only three could claim top honors. Above all was the Nevale Food Carrier (pictured above), which rocks four separated layers for toting "different hot / cold meals" at once, and the digital screen atop its lid provides a real-time readout of the storage conditions while the built-in vacuum system keeps food "fresh and free from bacteria." The first runner up, dubbed The Organic Cook, puts a nasty right hook on Mr. Foreman's offering, as it touts "oil-free frying, grilling, and boiling using infrared technology and vacuum cooking." Taking home the bronze is VESSTO, a "sleekly-designed, portable cooker" that utilizes renewable energy as power via an "advanced version of the Stirling Engine," and also features touch-sensitive controls and a screen for displaying recipes. So if you're interested to know just how stylish your kitchen will look in just a few more years, be sure to click on for a few more snapshots, and hit the read link for the full rundown of spectacular contrivances.

[Via Appliancist]

Continue reading Electrolux crowns champions in 2006 Design Lab contest